A HOMELESSNESS charity is offering emergency support to those sleeping rough as temperatures are expected to drop below zero degrees celsius.
St Mungo’s outreach team will be carrying out additional shifts after Reading Borough Council activated the town’s severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) on Wednesday, December 7.
It will be implemented until at least Monday, December 12.
During this time, St Mungo’s staff will be helping people access additional emergency accommodation available during the cold spell.
Wendy Dodds, St Mungo’s rough sleeper outreach coordinator for Reading, said: “Sub-zero temperatures are extremely dangerous for people who are living on the streets, and it is vital that our team is able to offer people support and bring people in from the cold.
“We’ll be putting on additional shifts this week and helping people to access the additional emergency accommodation that is available while SWEP is activated.
“During this weather we really encourage members of the public to take action if they see somebody who is sleeping rough; you can use the Streetlink website to make a referral, which will let our team know where somebody is sleeping rough, and help us to find them and offer support quickly. As always, if someone needs urgent medical attention please call 999.”
The charity will offer a range of different emergency accommodation options depending on individual needs.
As well as providing a safe and warm space for the night. St Mungo’s will be working with people to plan their next steps towards longer term accommodation.
In Reading, the council activates SWEP during times when the Met Office forecasts a minimum of zero degrees celsius for three consecutive nights or more. Once activated, the provision will be open for a minimum of three nights even if temperatures rise before this point.
To help those sleeping rough in Reading, people are advised to call 0118 9585002 to contact the Reading outreach team or make a referral via www.streetlink.org.uk
After the severe weather response is activated, call 0117 4070330. If someone needs emergency help, dial 999.
